3 Years ago almost to the day during the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown I lost the most wonderful man, my excellent Dad, John Humphreys after his short and fierce battle with Alzheimers.

My dad was a committed sports man and took great pleasure in his climbing, cricket, rugby and in later life his walking. Whilst his battle with Alzheimer's took his mind his legs never faltered and he was regularly spotted in Skipton woods or dashing up Shortbank Road. Even in the care home he would 'plan expeditions' or run 'PE lessons' with the other residents. Fitness and being active was engrained into his personality.

I was a terrible athlete when I was young with zero interest in any of the things he loved (my school PE reports will attest to this). He once spent the best part of the summer holidays trying to teach me not to "throw like a girl!" apologies to women who are more than capable of this, I however was not.

Dad had just picked the wrong limbs, my legs not arms are where I found my sporting vibes. 6 or 7 years ago, I took on the couch to 5K to try to get fitter and feel more confident in my skin. I have since run 3 half marathons and smashed a PB last year. Despite these achievements I still suffer from massive imposter syndrome with my fitness and abilities as a runner. I know my Dad would have been thrilled by my events and training, and most likely would have been an unwelcome coach from time to time, but in the moments of doubt I remind myself how proud he would have been of me for getting this far and that some of those sporting genes must have snook through after all.

This is my biggest challenge to date, I am taking on the full marathon on the 28th May in beautiful Edinburgh, with it, I hope to honour the memory of my wonderful, bonkers and brilliant Dad by raising a few quid for Alzheimer's research, make him proud of me (as I know he would be) and shake some of my personal demons by proving to myself how far I've come.

Any donations will help me dig a bit deeper on the day and, most importantly will help to hopefully, one day find a cure to the disease that I watched my beautiful Dad and family struggle through.

So, please if you can spare anything to shimmy me along (I'll need all the help I can get!) and help this cause I would be incredibly grateful to you.

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